Background
The precise burden of paediatric surgical care in South Africa is unknown. In the absence of epidemiological data, hospital‐based study is a first step to gauge the burden and profile of paediatric surgical disease. We aim to describe the profile of pathology, pattern of referrals, and complications of paediatric surgical care at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).
Methods
A 1‐year retrospective record review for the period 3/1/2019 to 1/1/2020 was conducted by evaluation of the morbidity and mortality databases of the Department of Paediatric Surgery (DPS). Number of admissions, consultations, complications, and surgeries performed were analysed and classified.
Results
A total of 11,932 unique patient encounters occurred. Emergencies (79%, 1841/2329) accounted for the majority of admissions. Trauma accounted for 49% (896/1841) of emergency admissions. Elective surgery constituted 52% (1202/2316) and emergency surgery 48% (1114/2316) of all procedures performed. The emergency department (55%, 1271/2329), outpatients department (19%, 447/2329), and peripheral hospitals (16%, 378/2329) were the source of the majority of admissions. A complication rate of 9% (208/2316) was observed.
Conclusion
The high‐volume subspecialist environment at CHBAH presents the ideal environment for delivery of specialist paediatric surgical services and training. Injury prevention, optimal use of existing resources, and additional physical, human and financial resources are required to meet the existing and predicted future burden of paediatric surgical disease.
Objective A relative oversupply of pediatric surgeons led to increasing difficulties in surgical training in high-income countries (HIC), popularizing international fellowships in low-to-middle–income countries (LMIC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of an international fellowship in an LMIC for the training of pediatric surgery trainees from HICs.
Methods We retrospectively reviewed and compared the prospectively maintained surgical logbooks of international pediatric surgical trainees who completed a fellowship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in the last 10 years. We analyzed the number of surgeries, type of involvement, and level of supervision in the operations. Data are provided in mean differences between South Africa and the respective home country.
Results Seven fellows were included. Operative experience was higher in South Africa in general (Δx̅ = 381; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 236–656; p < 0.0001) and index cases (Δx̅ = 178; 95% CI: 109–279; p < 0.0001). In South Africa, fellows performed more index cases unsupervised (Δx̅ = 71; 95% CI: 42–111; p < 0.0001), but a similar number under supervision (Δx̅ = –1; 95% CI: –25–24; p = 0.901). Fellows were exposed to more surgical procedures in each pediatric surgical subspecialty.
Conclusion An international fellowship in a high-volume subspecialized unit in an LMIC can be highly beneficial for HIC trainees, allowing exposure to higher caseload, opportunity to operate independently, and to receive a wider exposure to the different fields of pediatric surgery. The associated benefit for the local trainees is some reduction in their clinical responsibilities due to the additional workforce, providing them with the opportunity for protected academic and research time.
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